27 October 2015

Cold &Flu Prevention with Acupuncture

Cold and flu season is upon us. For protection
from nasty flu viruses many of us opt to receive a flu shot. The protection the
vaccination offers varies from year to year and depends on how well it is
matched to circulating viruses. To improve on the effectiveness of the flu shot
or just to boost the immune health one can add acupuncture to the flu and cold prevention
routine.

Between 2,000 and 8,000 Canadians die every
year from flu and its complications and many others end up in hospital as a
result of catching the flu virus. A few acupuncture sessions can balance the
body, increase immunity and your chance to survive the winter without major
illness.

Acupuncture is an ancient therapy in which very
fine needles are inserted into acupuncture points located in different areas of
the body, for therapeutic purposes. Sterile, disposable needles are inserted to
different depths on the skin and are turned or left in place for 15-30 min.
Acupuncture can not only boost the immune system but can also treat allergies, colds,
cough, asthma, sinusitis and congestion. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
the two paired meridians of the Lung and the Large Intestine are targeted in the
treatment of flu and colds as well as their prevention.

A great complement to acupuncture, or used
as a separate therapy, is cupping. In cupping therapy, the practitioner uses plastic
or glass cups applied to the body; the air is then suctioned out using a small
manual pump. The suction stimulates acupressure points, leading to the stimulation
of blood and lymph flow and the release of myofascial restrictions. Cupping
also stimulates the sensory nerves in the skin and can be used in painful
conditions. Before the explosion of antibiotics, cupping was a therapy of
choice for many respiratory diseases.

08 September 2015

“Arthritis” comes from the Greek word meaning
“inflamed joint”. There are many different conditions that fall into the
category of Arthritis; one hundred different kinds, to be exact, and one in
seven people suffers from some form of Arthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis is an
autoimmune disease whereby the body, for some unknown reason, attacks its own
joint tissue. It can occur at any time during their lifetime, from youth to
senior. Osteoarthritis is the most common condition and is considered to be the
“wear-and-tear” arthritis. It generally
affects people later in life depending on how active their lifestyle was or is
and how many injuries they incurred.

What can Massage Therapy and Acupuncture do for
Arthritis?

Many people living with arthritis are prescribed high
doses of pain killers including opioids such as Demerol and OxyContin or
tranquilizers and sedatives such as Valium, Ativan or Xanax. These medications
are habit forming and might lead to addiction and abuse and harm their health
in the long run. Massage Therapy and Acupuncture might be acceptable
alternative or complements to conventional medical care for arthritis. They
won’t cure arthritis; however these treatments can help with pain management,
swelling and stiffness. Medical acupuncture is a practice of inserting thin
sterile needles into specific body points to improve health and well-being.
According to recent studies, stimulation of acupuncture points produces a
cascade of chemicals and leads to the release of endorphins and enkephalins,
the body’s natural pain killers. Acupuncture treatments work well for knee,
wrist, hand, foot and ankle arthritis and pain associated with it.

During both massage therapy and acupuncture, the focus
of the treatment is to relieve the compressive forces on the joint by using
techniques within the client’s pain tolerance to reduce stiffness, pain,
swelling, spasm and to increase the overall range of motion of the affected
joints and the muscles surrounding it. Joint play techniques can also be
applied directly to the joint to increase lubrication which could, in turn,
help to increase nutrition of the cartilage. Any other areas of the body that
are compensating for the pain can be addressed as well as any postural concerns
or dysfunctions. Your therapist can give you homecare advice such as diet and
specific exercises, hydrotherapy or stretches to prolong the effects of your
massage and acupuncture as well as to reduce your overall pain on a daily
basis.

Hot wax during arthritis treatment?

Several layers of melted paraffin wax can be applied
to hands, feet or other parts of the body and are covered with plastic sheets
and towels. The wax is then peeled off after 30 minutes. The deep penetrating
heat from the wax increases blood circulation and softens collagen of
connective tissue in preparation for massage or acupuncture. It also softens dry, cracked skin and
decreases pain from stiffened or spastic muscles and joints. It is a great
addition to your treatment.

Heat in the form of Infrared light or Hot Packs can
also be used to relax muscles and manage pain.

Creams can be used to relieve pain as well. Your
therapist could use Capsaicin creams which are the natural substance that gives
the heat in hot peppers. These creams
can be effective if applied locally. Other muscle creams such as “Ultimate Pain
Rub” containing Methyl Salicylate, Menthol and Camphor could also be
considered.

For more information or to book an appointment, please
call Myoflex Massage & Rejuvenation Clinic at 506-450-9272.

24 March 2015

Spring is here and many of us want to make some
changes to reflect the time of renewal and rejuvenation. Spring is a great time
to change your diet, detoxify the body and maybe lose weight in the process.
Eating a diet high in fibre, high in organic fruits and vegetables, low in
animal proteins and processed food will help your body to transition from
Winter to Spring and Summer.

About 70% of our body is made-up of water.
Drinking about 8 glasses of clean water a day will not only hydrate your body
but it will also help with cleansing. And to strengthen the cleansing effect,
add “Liquid Greens Chlorophyll” to
your drinking water. This liquid supplement is available for sale at the retail
section of our clinic and other health food stores.

Drinking
enough water is key in detoxification, getting enough fibre and antioxidants
from vegetables and fruits is also very important. Removing excess acids from
your body will be useful in helping to get rid of toxins. Avoid excess animal
proteins like processed meats and cheese and consume plenty of alkalizing foods
(vegetables and fruits). Incorporate exercise to promote the movement of lymph
in the lymphatic system responsible for removal of toxins from the tissues. You
can promote detoxification by adding specialized products to your diet. Pascoe Canada offers “Whole Body Cleanse”. This
gentle

product
supports all aspects of detoxification: the lymphatic
system to transport toxins, the liver to

detoxify
them, and kidneys and intestinal tract to eliminate
them.

This spring
“The Whole Body Cleanse” is
available at Myoflex
Massage & Rejuvenation Clinic at

20% off the regular
price. We carry
a wide selection of natural
body products to help you with body and

skin
cleansing.

Based on Eastern philosophy, Spring corresponds
to the “Wood” element which in turn is related to the liver and the
gallbladder. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the liver is
responsible for the smooth flow of energy (Qi) throughout the body and
therefore it is the prime target for spring cleansing. Green is the colour of
the liver and of spring. Thus, eating greens like lettuce, green beans, sprouts,
spinach, and arugula, can improve liver functions. The liver can also be
stimulated with sour drinks and foods such as putting a slice of lemon in your
water or a touch of vinegar in salad dressing. The liver has an effect on
tendons, muscles and nerves. Therefore, adding morning stretches to your daily
routine will benefit them and will make you feel better. The liver also opens
to the eyes and is connected to proper eye function.